Security guards, CCTV used to stop swimmers jumping off Echuca-Moama bridge

Security guards are among a string of measures being used to stop swimmers from jumping off the new Echuca-Moama bridge still under construction.

CCTV and security guards are being used to stop daring swimmers from jumping off the second Murray River bridge into shallow water at the Victorian-NSW border.

Major Roads Project Victoria say people have been illegally accessing the construction site of the Echuca-Moama bridge, a $347m project in its final stages of development.

The government authority responsible for the project decades in the making, have also been forced to remove a scaffold tower near the bridge.

“We’re aware of instances of people illegally entering the construction site on the Echuca-Moama Bridge Project,” a MRPV spokesman said.

“Entering the construction site without authorisation is dangerous, so we’ve introduced a number of measures to increase security and deter any further illegal access.

“All instances of illegal site access have been referred directly to Victoria Police.”

Security guards are patrolling the new Echuca-Moama bridge to stop daring swimmers from jumping off. Picture: Submitted

The guards have been seen on the bridge after-hours and are one measure, among a string, used to deter swimmers from illegally accessing the site still under construction. Picture: Submitted

MRPV say the new bridge is “extremely unsafe” to enter without authorisation.

Water levels are known to fluctuate in the Murray River and there are shallow areas directly under the new bridge.

The governing authority is reviewing all site fencing and strengthening easy entry points.

Additional site signage has also been installed at the site.

MRPV say the safety of staff and the community is the “top priority”. 

It is understood the bridge is 15m high from the banks, but at least 20m from the centre of the river.

Victoria and NSW Police were contacted for comment.